Disability Resources Department

It is the policy of the Sonoma County Junior College District (SRJC) to provide equal educational opportunities for students with disabilities in accordance with state and federal laws.

Participation

Participation in Disability Resources Department (DRD) services is entirely voluntary. If you receive accommodations and/or instruction through DRD, you are still entitled to participate in any other course, program or activity offered by the college for which you are otherwise qualified.

Academic Accommodations

Students with verified disabilities are entitled to academic accommodations for limitations in the educational setting from a disability. Accommodations are not authorized if they fundamentally alter the course requirements. Some examples of academic accommodations are: sign language interpreters, note taker, additional time on exams, materials in alternate format (audio, Braille, e-text), and use of a tape recorder. Each authorized accommodation is unique to each student and is based on both the diagnosis of a disability and evidence of the limitation in an educational setting.

Confidentiality

Santa Rosa Junior College uses the information requested on the Disability Resources Department (DRD) forms for the purpose of determining a student's eligibility to receive authorized special services provided by DRD. Personal information recorded on these forms will be kept confidential in order to protect against unauthorized disclosure. Portions of this information may be shared with the Chancellor's Office of the California Community Colleges or other state or federal agencies; however, disclosure to these parties is made in strict accordance with applicable statutes regarding confidentiality, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. 1232(g)). Pursuant to Section 7 of the Federal Privacy Act (Public Law 93-579; 5 U.S.C.§ 552a, note) providing your social security number is voluntary.

Students do not need to disclose the nature of their disability to instructors in order to receive accommodations. Academic Accommodation Authorization letters from Disability Resources never disclose a student’s disability, only the accommodations that are authorized. It may be helpful to discuss how the limitations of a disability impact learning with an instructor. For example, “my disability makes it very difficult for me to take notes and focus on your lecture at the same time, that is why I am authorized for a note taker”.

Service Animals

Per the Americans With Disabilities Act, a service dog or miniature horse may be authorized as an accommodation in class. A trained service dog/horse that performs a function or service does not need any type of verification, but students should get authorization from DRD so that instructors are aware of the reason the animal is attending class. Comfort or stress reduction animals are not covered by the definition of service animal under the ADA, but may be authorized by DRD with appropriate documentation. Please discuss this process with a Disability Specialist for more information.

Complaints

Students who wish to appeal a decision of eligibility for services from Disability Resources may appeal in writing or in person to the Dean, Disabled Students Programs and Services, Patie Wegman. Email appeal may be sent to pwegman@santarosa.edu. To schedule an appeal appointment, call (707) 527-4278.

Students who believe they have been discriminated against based on their disability should follow the complaint process at http://www.santarosa.edu/for_students/rules-regulations/student-complaint.shtml. Students are encouraged to begin by consulting with their Disability Specialist and/or the Dean, Disabled Students Programs and Services.

To qualify for support services, including accommodations, a student must have a verified disability and be unable to benefit fully from the regular programs and services offered by the college. A student must self-identify and present disability verification from an appropriate, qualified professional to the Disability Resources Department office in Analy Village on the Santa Rosa campus, and Jacobs Hall on the Petaluma campus.

Participation in the Disabled Students Program is voluntary. However, to receive academic accommodations, a student must provide to the DRD office required documentation describing the nature of the disability, the functional limitations resulting from the disability, and information specific to the accommodations and/or auxiliary aids needed to promote full participation in the educational program.

Students must meet each semester with a Disability Specialist to be authorized for academic accommodations. Accommodations DO NOT automatically roll from semester to semester. Students must meet with a Specialist to get authorization letters for each class for which they plan to use accommodations. It is the student’s responsibility to deliver the accommodation letters to their instructors at an appropriate time such as during the instructor’s office hours in advance of the needed accommodation. It is the student's responsibility to arrange for all accommodations in a timely manner in accordance with Disability Resources procedures. For example, test taking services require a one week notice.

All students must comply with the Student Conduct Standards adopted by the college and all other applicable statutes and regulations related to student conduct. The Student Conduct Standards can be found at http://www.santarosa.edu/for_students/rules-regulations/scs/section1.shtml.

Disability Resources must provide a student who has a verified disability, reasonable accommodations and/or auxiliary aids to afford the student equal opportunity and access to participate in the college's programs, activities, and services. The college may not discriminate against an individual solely on the basis of disability. Disability Resources is the vehicle by which the institution provides accommodations to students although official participation is voluntary.

The college is not required by law to provide aides, services, or devices for personal use of study, nor is it required to design special academic programs for students with disabilities. Neither the Americans with Disabilities Act, nor Section 504, require the college to alter admissions or graduation requirements. Accommodations are determined individually based on the educational limitations provided in the disability verification documentation.